Nottingham — Taiwo Awoniyi, the Nigerian striker for Nottingham Forest, is in an induced coma following emergency surgery on a severe abdominal injury suffered during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.
The 27-year-old collided forcefully with the post in the closing minutes of the 2–2 draw at the City Ground while lunging for a low cross from Anthony Elanga. He had come on as a late substitute for Ibrahim Sangaré.
According to the club, Awoniyi underwent the first part of a two-phase operation on Monday night and is currently sedated in hospital. The second part of the procedure is scheduled for Wednesday.
“Taiwo is recovering well and being closely monitored,” Forest said in a statement on Tuesday. “This incident is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in football. A player’s health must always come first.”
The mood around the City Ground has been somber since the injury. Team-mates, staff and fans were visibly shaken as medics treated Awoniyi on the pitch for several minutes.
The play itself is now drawing scrutiny. Elanga, who delivered the cross, had been in an offside position when he received the ball — but the flag stayed down until after the attack, in line with current officiating protocols.
Under Premier League guidance, assistant referees are instructed to delay flagging for offside if a goal-scoring opportunity is imminent. The idea is to let the move play out before VAR can review it, if necessary. But critics argue that the approach creates unnecessary risks for players.
“That delay in flagging isn’t just annoying — it can be dangerous,” said former referee Mark Halsey. “When players are throwing everything at a cross that should have been ruled out, accidents can happen.”
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly entered the pitch after the final whistle to speak directly with manager Nuno Espírito Santo about the incident. Marinakis has since been receiving regular updates on Awoniyi’s condition.
Awoniyi has been a key figure at Forest since his arrival from Union Berlin in 2022. He’s scored 19 goals in 83 appearances and remains one of the club’s most popular players.
For now, Forest’s focus is on his recovery. The club and his family have requested privacy, and no further medical details have been released.
In the broader conversation, the incident has reopened debate about whether the rules designed to protect the flow of the game may come at too high a price.
As fans wait for updates, messages of support have flooded in from across the football world. Nigeria’s national team sent a statement of solidarity on Tuesday, saying, “Our thoughts are with Taiwo and his family. We pray for strength and full healing.”
For a player known for his power and persistence, the road ahead will be tough. But those who know Awoniyi believe he will fight as hard in recovery as he does on the pitch.
